Thinking about a dairy cow...

[madness]

Ok, so I'm completely new to cows and therefore ignorant. This idea has just recently been getting into my head so I haven't done any research (that means, please forgive my ignorance!). I just wanted to ask a few questions to get me going in the right direction.

I've been planning on getting goats next spring. I love goats and goat milk/butter/cheese. The thing is...I've just gotten engaged and the fiance HATES goat butter and cheese. I make him try all sorts of different brands and he can't stand it. I've snuck it into food and he can always tell and hates is. I don't think it's something he'll get used to though I have yet to find a source of actual fresh goats milk for him to try (I even hate the stuff they sell at the grocery...goaty!). So now we have it in our minds that a cow might make things more harmonious around the homestead!

Here's the deal. I live in a city. The city code says I can have miniature livestock. That means I can have a miniature cow weighing 600 pounds but not a full sized goat weighing 120 pounds. Ok, that's beside the point. The point is, I'm looking at mini breeds. I know there are mini jerseys and zebus. Not so familiar with others.

I know with goats that a single animal will be lonely - is this the same with cows? Seems like I know people who just have the one cow. So can I have one cow and she will be happy?

How much feed are we talking about for a mini cow? How much space? I have an area for the (potential) goats that is 100' x 30'. Would a mini cow be happy in there? Do they like alfalfa for making sweet milk too?

And what are your experiences with mini dairy cows? How much milk? Market for the babies? Got any good book suggestions?

Basically, I'm at a loss as to where to start since there isn't a lot of miniature specific stuff out there. Any help would be much appreciated!

[Judith]

Mini cows are very pricey. Does the city code allow you to have a dexter? They are a bit less costly.

[madness]

The city code just says ""MINIATURE LIVESTOCK means livestock that meet the published breed definition for registration by a nationally recognized breeding association."

So I guess dexters probably don't count. BUT, if I got a dexter that fit the height of another mini breed, I'm sure I could just say it was a mini jersey or a mini what-ever. The guys who come out to check on livestock have NO idea...

And I am worried about the price. But if there's a good market here for mini heifers, I figure it might not be such a bad idea.

Thanks for the dexter tip - I'll do some research on them.

EDIT: Good news! Mini jerseys are supposed to be under 42"...dexters are between 36" and 42"! Ok, so what's the deal with dexters then? I read the zebu vs. dexter thread and got the idea that dexters are good little critters!

[tailwagging]

I got my mini-zebus very reasonable due to the price of hay. The cow, her calf and our mini-zebu bull eat a 4x4 roll of hay every month or 20 lbs daily of hay if in square bales
she eats 3 lbs of 16% dairy feed, 2 lbs alfalfa cubes, 3 quarts of beet pulp (before soaking) and 1/2 lbs of calf manna daily.
she gives 1/2 gallon with once a day milking. plus feeds her calf.
she is 41 2/3 inches high and 450 lbs. our bull is around 35 inches high and about 250 lbs but he is still young.
That is about all I can tell you. I haven't tried to sell the calf yet since I use him to keep mom's milk going and may eat him instead. they make good meat too just not as much as big cattle.

[BlackWillowFarm]

Originally Posted by madness

Ok, so I'm completely new to cows and therefore ignorant. This idea has just recently been getting into my head so I haven't done any research (that means, please forgive my ignorance!). I just wanted to ask a few questions to get me going in the right direction.

I'm pretty much in the same place as you. I've been thinking, but haven't done it yet. The difference is I have the land, the fence and the barn. The only thing stopping me is...I don't have a clue what to expect, what to look for or what type or breed of bovine to purchase. I'm wanting to put this one in the freezer though. I'm not able to be tied down to a milking schedule. If I could, I have one for milk too.

I'll be watching this thread for answers. I've been looking at Scottish Highlands, Dexters, Lowline Angus and before I figured out I can't have a milk cow, Jerseys.

[JKB07]

Mini Jersey! Simple answer. They will meet the city code, and they will def meet yuo and you fiances needs. Theya are a bit pricy, but if you are able to breed her and have a heifer calf, she will be pretty much paid for. If its not a heifer, well she will have many more calves, so no problem there.... hope this helps

JKB

[planecrazyusa]

You might want to check out the Belfair Jersey a Dexter- mini jersey cross. They maybe a little less money.

[Tallabred]

Originally Posted by JKB07

Mini Jersey! Simple answer. . . . Theya are a bit pricy, . . . JKB

What does pricey mean to you in $? I have been trying to find a mini jersey but the only ones I have been able to find in Florida are offered at $4k and $6k. I asked the breeder and he said thats what he gets. His milk is $13/gallon from the farm so is he just $$$$?

[darbyfamily]

They have a mini jersey in OKC right now for $2200 and is 2 mths bred ...

[Shirley]

You need to check out these two proboards!
http://dextercattle.proboards84.com/index.cgi?
http://familycow.proboards32.com/ind...?board=general

[madness]

I've seen mini-jerseys listed around here for between $2k and $4k. That would definitely be something I would have to save up for. Whereas I could get two great does for less than $1k...but if my future hubby isn't going to touch the milk, it's probably not worth it!

Thanks for the links Shirley - I'll be reading up for some time since we aren't ready to tie ourselves down to a milking animal until next year.

[Wags]

Goat milk from the store is horrid nasty stuff! You have both got to try fresh milk. My hubby can't tell the difference between fresh goat milk and cows milk. My first preference would be for a mini jersey, second would be a milking dexter and third choice would be a standard Jersey. But they are all way more money than I can come up with at present. I have Nigerian Dwarf goats because I can't afford any of the above.

[Shirley]

Originally Posted by madness

Thanks for the links Shirley - I'll be reading up for some time since we aren't ready to tie ourselves down to a milking animal until next year.

You are very welcome. Go thru ALL the Family Cow board, there is a ton to read.

[madness]

Originally Posted by Wags

Goat milk from the store is horrid nasty stuff! You have both got to try fresh milk. My hubby can't tell the difference between fresh goat milk and cows milk. My first preference would be for a mini jersey, second would be a milking dexter and third choice would be a standard Jersey. But they are all way more money than I can come up with at present. I have Nigerian Dwarf goats because I can't afford any of the above.

I've had fresh goat's milk and I can't tell the difference. After a short time, it's a bit more goaty, but I still don't mind. But the stuff in the stores. YAK!

My first choice would actually be Nigies. But I've asked a lot of my fiance already with adjusting to my crazy homesteading, so I want to make some compromises here. If I can find some REAL fresh goat's milk though, maybe I can just go that route. But he wants to learn to make cheese too and he has never had a goat cheese he likes. Picky, picky!

Yeah, not sure where we would pull an extra $3k + feed costs for a mini cow. But I'm looking at all the options right now!

[MullersLaneFarm]

One thing you'll want to think about with the mini breeds is you'll need to get her AI'd to keep her in milk. Do you know someone that AIs? Can you learn yourself?

[cjb]

I used to HATE goat milk until we got our own goats, use very sanitary practises and chill the milk immediately. Now I actually prefer it.

However, I caved and bought a Jersey so we have both My kids prefer the cow milk and so does my wife, plus we can make cheese and butter.

I think the Belfair sounded like the best option - especially if its a dexter/mini jersey cross. Sounds like you're just getting married so prob no kids involved? You will have more milk than you need.

[planecrazyusa]

If you wanted to, you could get a dexter cow and have her ai'd to a Mini Jersey. You wouldn't need to milk the dexter and if you got a heifer, you could keep her to milk later if you wanted to.